Post by Michael Gray on Jul 18, 2008 15:18:39 GMT
Acks arrived in Dunnet on the back of a disappointing defeat in Halkirk on Monday and knowing only a win would stave of relegation, United on the other hand knew only a win would suffice in their pursuit of league leaders John O’Groats. In the end it was United who took the points but Acks took the plaudits with a spirited display from their young side however it was not enough to stop them sliding out of the top flight in Caithness. The early stages were pretty even both teams battling away but very little between them in the way of goal scoring opportunities being created although even from the outset there seemed a genuine lack of cohesion about the United performance. The only real chance came about after 5 mins when Jimmy Budge capitalised on a mistake by Carle and raced towards goal the Acks defence were back in numbers but the big striker showed great strength to step away from them but Mackay was alive to the danger and made a decent stop as he closed the angle. However after little more to really talk about in terms of goal mouth action United made the break through on 15 minutes Gary Mackay fed Grant Budge down the right he took a touch before delivering a pin point cross for Jimmy Budge to power home at the near post with a brilliant header past the diving Brian Mackay. James Murray was working hard up front but to be fair to the Acks defensive unit they were never letting him get a minutes peace and although he made a few half breaks towards goal they were generally dealing fairly comfortably. Although again they were outdone by a cross ball this time from a Grant Budge corner that he had won himself and he picked out the towering Brian Kenny who bulleted a header passed Mackay from 8 yards for a 2 goal advantage mid-way through the half. Possibly given the differences in fortunes and the scoreline would give the impression that the game would be a formality from then on in however quite opposite took place, Acks stepped up their pressing game and United started becoming wasteful with the football becoming untidy and attempting things not normally attempted. Acks then forced Gray into a save when good work down the left from Wares saw him feed the ball into Malcolm on the angle his shot was parried away by Gray only as far as Innes who bent a wonderful effort over Gray but off the face off the bar and United cleared. United should have killed of the game before half time when a good passing move freed up Darren Mackay down the left and it seemed he was left with the simple task of squaring for Murray but he lifted the ball and Brian Mackay gathered. As the half drew to a close the town side had two set-piece opportunities both taken by Murray Coghill from each side of the goal, his first he managed to get over the wall but just to the right of Gray’s goal the second from the left hand side was touched to him by his brother Gary but this time the effort was much more disappointing and it flew well left of Gray’s goal
Half time
Pentland United 2-0 Acks
Safe to say United hadn’t really impressed their manager in the first period however there was definitely a change in attitude in the second half not to any great startling level but nevertheless the tempo was stepped up. The game was effectively killed off after 55 mins Bell linked with Murray down the left the young forward drove in and fired a cross in that Carle tried in desperation to clear but Darren Mackay was on hand to volley home from close range giving his name sake Brian in the Acks goal little or no chance. There was no way back for Acks now although to their credit they continued to play with great spirit and battled away without any real reward. On the hour mark Malcolm again managed to test Gray wriggling free down the United left he found space on the angle 12 yards from goal but Gray got down to save one handed and then recovered the loose ball under the watchful eye of Bell. The Kenny – Budge double act nearly completed a double when another pinpoint cross from Granty picked out the big centre half who again bulleted the ball goalwards but this time he was marginally off target. United wrapped up the scoring with just over twenty minutes to go and it was the pick off the bunch great work from Gary Bell released Darren Mackay to drive to the area before picking out a fine pass for the supporting Lee Sutherland who took a touch and drew Mackay before coolly slipping the ball passed the keeper into the net. United with that cushion probably pushed on a little more but Acks continued to try and counter through Murray Coghill in the centre of the park. Lee Sutherland really should have doubled his tally with ten minutes remaining in the game when super running down the right from Grant Budge saw him burst to the bye line and cut the ball back for the inrushing midfielder but from 10 yards his shot slid passed the post. Minutes later Gordon Mackenzie was denied when Gary Bell through in a teasing cross that Henderson half cleared that appeared to sitting up perfectly for the substitute to strike home and he made perfect connection only for the shot to be charged down. Miller had the final opportunity to grab a consolation for the Thurso side when he raced forward from a the wide area on to a Coghill through ball into a suspiciously off side position however he referee Macdonald waved play on but the fullback’s shot from 18 yards was smothered by Gray on his 6 yard line.
Full time
Pentland United 4-0 Acks
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (c) (D Manson 70) 8. L Sutherland 9. J Budge 10. J Murray (G Mackenzie 74) 11. G Budge (J Sutherland 82)
Subs not used
View from the goal
Another 3 points but again a little disappointing the performance turned out by the guys I know they are getting tired all the more reason to let the ball do the work instead of going on mazy runs into trouble. We were far too predictable at times and we will need to lift the level of performance on Saturday if we want to compete with John O’Groats
Half time
Pentland United 2-0 Acks
Safe to say United hadn’t really impressed their manager in the first period however there was definitely a change in attitude in the second half not to any great startling level but nevertheless the tempo was stepped up. The game was effectively killed off after 55 mins Bell linked with Murray down the left the young forward drove in and fired a cross in that Carle tried in desperation to clear but Darren Mackay was on hand to volley home from close range giving his name sake Brian in the Acks goal little or no chance. There was no way back for Acks now although to their credit they continued to play with great spirit and battled away without any real reward. On the hour mark Malcolm again managed to test Gray wriggling free down the United left he found space on the angle 12 yards from goal but Gray got down to save one handed and then recovered the loose ball under the watchful eye of Bell. The Kenny – Budge double act nearly completed a double when another pinpoint cross from Granty picked out the big centre half who again bulleted the ball goalwards but this time he was marginally off target. United wrapped up the scoring with just over twenty minutes to go and it was the pick off the bunch great work from Gary Bell released Darren Mackay to drive to the area before picking out a fine pass for the supporting Lee Sutherland who took a touch and drew Mackay before coolly slipping the ball passed the keeper into the net. United with that cushion probably pushed on a little more but Acks continued to try and counter through Murray Coghill in the centre of the park. Lee Sutherland really should have doubled his tally with ten minutes remaining in the game when super running down the right from Grant Budge saw him burst to the bye line and cut the ball back for the inrushing midfielder but from 10 yards his shot slid passed the post. Minutes later Gordon Mackenzie was denied when Gary Bell through in a teasing cross that Henderson half cleared that appeared to sitting up perfectly for the substitute to strike home and he made perfect connection only for the shot to be charged down. Miller had the final opportunity to grab a consolation for the Thurso side when he raced forward from a the wide area on to a Coghill through ball into a suspiciously off side position however he referee Macdonald waved play on but the fullback’s shot from 18 yards was smothered by Gray on his 6 yard line.
Full time
Pentland United 4-0 Acks
1. M Gray 2. G Mackay 3. G Bell 4. G Steven 5. B Kenny 6. D Mackay 7. W Inrig (c) (D Manson 70) 8. L Sutherland 9. J Budge 10. J Murray (G Mackenzie 74) 11. G Budge (J Sutherland 82)
Subs not used
View from the goal
Another 3 points but again a little disappointing the performance turned out by the guys I know they are getting tired all the more reason to let the ball do the work instead of going on mazy runs into trouble. We were far too predictable at times and we will need to lift the level of performance on Saturday if we want to compete with John O’Groats